Anarchists: ‘we found the Rojava revolution to be our own’

Cahide Harputlu/Beritan Elyakut

KOBANÊ – Anarchists who traveled to Kobanê to see the revolution for themselves and to make a documentary say the Rojava revolution is an example of what anarchists have tried to bring to life throughout their history of struggle.

Zeki Yılmaz and Su Ender, of the International of Anarchist Federations, are currently in Kobanê, where they came to acquaint the world with the revolution ongoing in Rojava by making a documentary.

“In Kobanê, at the same time as there’s a war, there’s a new life being woven here,” explained Su. “Because of the morale built here, there’s a really wonderful solidarity between people.” She said that the struggle in Rojava had a number of points of intersection with the anarchist struggle around the world.

“We see a number of things that we have very much in common with the society being built here. Along with the federal structure, there’s the fact that women are so much in the forefront here,” she said. “From the very beginning, an important mission of this revolution has been for women to always be in the front ranks.”

She touched on the history of the anarchist movement, noting that women like Emma Goldman would be at home in Rojava.

“There have been a number of anarchist societies in history, but they have been small and short-lived,” she said. “The system and thinking here is very broad, including many cultures, languages, religions and ethnic identities. For there to be a society like this is extraordinary; it’s a first in history.”

Zeki Yılmaz says their group had long been in close conversation with people in Kobanê, but they returned to Kobanê to make their connections more concrete. They have been working in the city with the people for the last two and a half months, particularly trying to show the human toll of war on the people there.

“They say it’s like Stalingrad, but it’s worse than that,” he said. “You need to analyze this place according to its own conditions. It’s been totally ruined, more than Stalingrad, and the people have suffered more. In addition to all this, we’re talking about a people whose country has been sacked, whose language and culture have been ignored.

“However much we can express anarchism in theory, there are few examples of it being brought to life,” said Zeki. “That’s why the system being brought to life here is so important to us.”